Gallaraga perfect game ruined by bad call

In a call that was worse than Jerry Manuel’s decision to leave Raul Valdes in tonight’s game to allow a grand slam was umpire Jim Joyce’s safe call in the bottom of the ninth of the Indians and Tigers game.

Armando Gallaraga was in line to pitch Major League Baseball’s third perfect game this season. He had two outs in the ninth and induced a ground ball that was picked up by the first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Cabrera threw it to Gallaraga who covered first.

There had to be a collective “What!” around the country as Joyce called the runner safe. My grandmother could see that he was out. To his credit, Gallaraga just smiled and proceeded to get the third out. If I were him, I’d be tearing Joyce a new one. So what if he got tossed at that moment? He lost the perfect game and the no-hitter. He’d still get the win.

The incident is sure to raise more questions about expanding instant replay. Do you think a call like this should push MLB to revisit the topic?